Just like the last entry, today's idiom is one I heard while watching an old Batman serial.  The phrase "coon's age" is used to describe a lengthy period of time.  According to The Straight Dope, its origin dates back to the 1800's when it was believed that racoons (or "coons") had very long lives.  Apparently the folks who used this phrase had never scientifically studied the average lifespan of a racoon, which is really only around 5 years in the wild.  Example:

"I was pleasantly surprised the other day to run into Rick in the supermarket; I hadn't seen him in a coon's age!"

Today's idiom is one I came across while watching an old Batman serial from 1943 (old films like those are often rife with idioms, which is one of the reasons I enjoy them so much).  The phrase "from hunger" is used to describe something that is lacking or poor in quality (much like the Batman serial I mentioned above).  I was unable to find a definite etymology, but most sources seemed to indicate the phrase has a rather literal origin; one who comes from hunger is most likely impoverished and in poor health.  Example:

From a Slate article regarding the recent remake of the classic film The Stepford Wives: "Word of the movie's terribleness began to filter out months ago, and different endings were reportedly shot and tested. The one that's there now is from hunger: It's a miracle that the actors don't turn to the camera and roll their eyes or make little shadow bunnies."

Today's idiom, "play it close to one's vest," returns us to the previous category of poker.  To play it close to your vest (or chest, as it is sometimes said) means to keep something a secret.  The phrase comes from a poker player's keeping his cards close so that the other players can't see what he's holding.  Example:

"Episodes of Jeopardy featuring Ken Jennings were filmed months in advance, but the live audience and those affiliated with the show were able to play it close to their vests by not revealing the outcome of his record-breaking streak before it finally aired."

Today's idiom is "step on it."  This phrase means to hurry or to act quickly.  Its origin comes from the use of the gas pedal in an automobile, where stepping on the pedal causes the automobile to speed up.  This phrase is a special type of idiom called a phrasal verb.  Phrasal verbs are formed by verbs and prepositions which when combined form a new meaning that is usually unrelated to the definitions of its parts.  Example:

"Take this envelope to the post office, and step on it!  They close in 15 minutes!"

Out of all the categories of idioms I have covered thus far, I would have to say the most underrepresented would have to be animals.  I wouldn't venture too far to guess why we have so many idioms dealing with animals, except to say that perhaps it is a result of the use of animals in every culture to represent certain human traits.  The tortoise and the hare, the sloth, the snake; all of these conjure up images of certain traits we either long for or abhor.  So, in case you haven't guessed already, today's idiom is animal-related.  The phrase "monkey on one's back" refers to an addiction, usually related to substance use.  As for the origin of the phrase, the Online Etymology Dictionary points to the Arabian tales of Sinbad the sailor.  In one of these tales, Sinbad is attacked by an ape who clings to his shoulders and refuses to let go.  Example:

"Luke has tried several times to quit smoking, but he's always been unsuccessful.  Perhaps he will never get rid of the monkey on his back."

Source: Online Etymology Dictionary

For today's idiom, we will return to a previous topic: boxing.  To "throw one's hat into the ring" means to enter a contest or election.  As to its origin, the July 17, 2001 issue of Take Our Word For It gives the following explanation:

As you might expect, it comes from the boxing ring (well, we supposed that some of you might have guessed the circus ring...). In the early 19th century, when boxing was quite popular, one who wished to challenge a boxer would throw his hat into the ring. This was probably necessitated by the crowds and noise at such events; you'd be missed if you simply tried to shout out a challenge or push your way through the crowd and into the ring. John Hamilton Reynolds wrote in The Fancy: "Throw in his hat, and with a spring get gallantly within the ring." This is from 1820 and is the first recorded use of the term.
The phrase soon came to be used figuratively to mean "to enter a contest" and then "to enter a political contest". Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt used it in 1912:"My hat's in the ring", he said, meaning that he had entered the presidential race.

Example: "Though many political analysts expect Hillary Clinton to run for president in 2008, she has not yet officially thrown her hat into the ring."

Source: Take Our Word For It

Hello everyone.  I know it's been a while since my last post, but I hadn't been feeling too well this past week.  Fortunately I feel a bit better now, so on with the idioms!

Today's idiom is "burning the candle at both ends."  This phrase means to take on too many tasks or to be too busy for one's own good.  The analogy here is that if one lights a candle on each end, the candle will not only burn out twice as fast, but it is more likely to burn the person holding the candle as the two flames eventually meet in the middle.  Example:

"Jason's been burning the candle at both ends recently; he not only works two jobs, but his wife just had their third child a few weeks ago."

Today's idiom is "Monday morning quarterback."  To play Monday morning quarterback means to criticize after an event has taken place.  During a football game, the quarterback must make split-second decisions based on his own judgment, the outcome of which can only be known after the game is over.  Since most important football games are played on Sundays, it isn't until Monday morning that people will have had time to analyze the game and can critique the quarterback's performance after the fact. Example:

"It's easy to play Monday morning quarterback when criticizing companies who continued to invest in word processing machines in the 1970's while ignoring the all-purpose computer, but back then few people realized the popularity the home PC would gain in the coming decade."

Today's idiom is "sitting duck."  This phrase refers to something or someone who leaves himself open to attack or to criticism.  I am not aware of a precise origin, but I'm fairly confident that the phrase refers to duck hunting and the relative ease of shooting a duck while it is sitting in the water, as opposed to trying to shoot a duck while it is flying.  Example:

"During yesterday's checkers match, Jack made a careless move by jumping his opponent's piece without realizing it was a trap, making his only king a sitting duck.  Needless to say, he lost the game."

Today's idiom is "whistle-blower."  This term describes one who alerts authorities to some wrongdoing by others.  Often this person was once involved in the wrongdoing but is then given a chance to save himself by telling on those in charge.  Typically a whistle-blower tries to keep a low profile for fear of retaliation by those he snitched on; just recently a man was beaten up for "blowing the whistle" on a former employer who was suspected to have taken part in some illegal financial activities.  Example:

"During the height of the mafia, whistle-blowers were often believed to have been given 'cement shoes' (having their feet incased in concrete) and then thrown into a river; this of course helped encourage loyalty amongst one's fellow gangsters."